Oban
Getting There
Oban is a small fishing village on the west coast of Scotland. The little town is most accessible by car, and likely will be a stop on a road trip rather than a single destination to visit. The closest reasonably sized airport from Oban is Glasgow airport, location about 2.5 hours from Oban. Consider flying to Glasgow and renting a car to pass through Oban on a bigger roadtrip to the Scottish Highlands.
Getting Around
Once arrived in Oban, the town itself is very small and is easily walked in an afternoon. Plan to explore on foot when visiting Oban and, if you traveled to Oban by car, leave the car parked for the day. Finding a spot to park can be a bit difficult. If you plan to spend the night in the town, hopefully your accommodations have parking sorted for you. Otherwise, keep an eye out for street parking and jump on a spot when you see it.
Accommodations
Since Oban is so small, try to pick accommodations in town. Whether it is a bed & breakfast, hotel, or rented property, it will be most convenient to stay in the town itself as this will enable you to explore the town and walk to any specific activities you plan to enjoy in Oban.
Things to do and see
Oban Distillery
Whether you enjoy whiskey or not, one of the nice activities to do while visiting Oban is take a visit to the Oban Distillery. Oban is a famous single-malt scotch in Scotland and is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland.
The Distillery offers different tour & tasting options to learn about their whiskey and sample different types. The staff are friendly and informative, and the Distillery is well worth a visit. Be sure to book a spot in advance.
Oban Town
The town of Oban is small so take some time to wander along the streets and see some of the different shops. It is especially nice to walk along the promenade and enjoy being near the water.
Isle of Mull
Oban is known as the “gateway to the isles”. The Isle of Mull is just off the coast of Oban. There is a ferry which takes visitors over to Mull. If spending more than a day in Oban, consider making the journey over to Mull on your visit to Oban.
Fishing Dock
Being on the coast, Oban is known for its seafood. The Fishing Dock has great spots for fresh seafood as well as fish and chips.
Oban Chocolate Company
If you have a sweet tooth, stop in the Oban Chocolate Company where they have lots of chocolate indulgences including plain chocolate, chocolate drinks, chocolate waffles and more. Grab a treat to go or sit down at the cafe overlooking the water.
Food and Drinks
Oban Seafood Shack
Located down on the Fishing Dock, the Oban Seafood Shack is just as it sounds. A little shack sits near the water with a few tables covered by tents to keep folks dry while enjoying their food. The Seafood Shack has an abundance of options, from fresh oysters to scallops to langoustines to clams to lobster and even has a variety of seafood sandwiches.
Visiting the Oban Seafood Shack is a must-do when in town. If you are a big seafood person, this will be your spot, but even if not, it is worth a stop. It is also a nice and quick option for grabbing a snack or meal.
The Oban Inn
A cute pub right near the water is a great spot to grab a drink or meal. If the weather is nice, which is a luxury when visiting Scotland, sit outside on the terrace and enjoy the view of the water and people watching in town.
Other Notes
Duration
One night in Oban is plenty to be able to enjoy the quaint, coastal town. It is a great option for a place to stay while on a roadtrip through the Scottish Highlands. However, if staying over night does not fit in your itinerary, consider stopping through for a few hours. The Scottish folks are some of the nicest and friendliest you will come across. You can count on making conversations with locals and visitors while spending time in Oban.
Weather
As mentioned on other Scotland pages, Scotland is not known for its weather. Being on the coast, a sunny day in Oban is beautiful, but it is very likely this is not the weather you will have while visiting. Pack rain gear and proper clothing to allow you to enjoy Oban regardless of the weather conditions.
Navigation
Transportation and Accommodations
Things to do and see
Food and Drinks